ECO TEAM News
The Eco Team have become increasingly frustrated at the lack of authenticity with which environmental concerns are handled in the school system. Given the significant changes to the climate, and the level of adaptability humans are going to need to apply to deal with the impending consequences, they sat down to figure out what they could genuinely do to help create change across schools in our state.
It was agreed that they would lobby politicians to help convince them to drive change in schools. As a result of this decision, and after three years of pandemic related interruptions, they finally got the chance to attend and tour the Victorian Parliament in an effort to convince key policymakers that it is time to make significant and sustainable change in Victorian schools.
Driving the presentation to parliamentarians on behalf of the Eco Team was Eliza Ireland, Neko McTaggart and Tilly Scott. They presented to Lily D’Ambrosio MP, Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change and Minister for Solar Homes. Amongst many things, they lobbied the minister to consider upgrading schools across the state to become beacons of sustainability – schools which are equipped with positive environmental messages, schools that are retrofitted to become micro-grids within their local communities, and schools where students are much better prepared for the impacts of a changing climate. The Eco Team created an extensive list of improvements to show the minister.
To her credit, the Honorable Minister D’Ambrosio listened to the Eco Team representatives and seemed to understand the points made by the students. Eco Team member, Neko McTaggart, made the point that the team would like to see a committee formed, or suggestions tabled for discussion in parliament, to ensure the concerns of the team are taken seriously, and so that the sustainability of schools is seen as a priority issue. After all, if students are not educated about what is happening to the climate, why would they be concerned, or why would they be interested in doing something about it?
At the conclusion of the meeting Minister D’Ambrosio asked to be sent a copy of the presentation, and the Eco Team will be meeting with local member Paul Edbrooke MP to nut out the exact nature of items to be tabled for discussion in parliament!
The Eco Team also met with Natalie Hutchins MP, Minister for Education & Minister for Women. The Minister gave them further insight into politics, and the students discussed what they thought schools needed to improve to be able to combat a very turbulent future climate. Minister Hutchins similarly asked to be sent their presentation.
The Eco Team also got a few moments with Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan MP where they spoke about their reasons for being in parliament. She was impressed with their level of knowledge and their ability to work towards change.
At the conclusion of the day Paul Edbrooke MP spoke with the team about the importance of making change and going through the right channels to do so. He encouraged them to continue, and definitely acknowledged the importance of dealing with climate change.
The Eco Team would like to thank Ms Marie Farrell, Ms Nickie Fidge and former Eco Team students Michaela Goggin and Mayatili Thompson-Fidge for providing additional support on the day. They would also like to thank Paul Edbrooke MP and Karen McCallum for helping with logistics of the day and being so generous and accommodating with their time. The Eco Team looks forward to continuing to work with and lobby Paul Edbrooke MP in the very near future. And lastly, they would also like to thank Vicki – the amazing tour guide who was generous enough to put up with the Eco Team taking the ‘extended’ tour.
Mr Brendan McKinnon
Eco Team Coordinator